Thai PBS management presents annual performance report to the NLA

Thai PBS has set its sight on becoming a leading media to guide the Thai society towards reforms with the presentation of broadcasting programmes for the new fiscal year which will help reduce conflicts and create better understanding among all sectors of the society and to improve its efficiency for public interests, said Thai PBS director Mrs Vilasinee Pipitkul during her briefing to members of the National Legislative Assembly at the parliament on Thursday.

In her briefing of Thai PBS’s performance of the 2016 fiscal year, Mrs Vilasinee said that the independent media had spent 704 million baht of its budget on TV and radio broadcasting and its broadcasts had reached 89 percent of the population.

Online media for 2016 grew 95 percent compared to the preceding year, with 195 million baths being spent on the expansion of signalling coverage as well as the development of public media networks.

During the presentation session, some assemblymen queried the Thai PBS director about the purchase of Charoen Pokphand debentures by her previous management while another assemblyman, Mr Tuang Inthachai, made an observation that the broadcaster should produce programmes which will help the people change their thoughts or which will improve their wisdom.

As for the share purchase controversy which was raised by Air Chier Marshal Chalee Chanruang and Associate Professor Thaveesak Sootkavatin.

Regarding this issue, Mr Jesada Anujaree, a member of Thai PBS management, clarified that the management had the authority to make the purchase of the debentures and it was endorsed by the board of governors.

However, when there was a public criticism against the deal, the board of governors decided to scrap the deal and the debentures were later sold with five million baht in profit.

The performance report was the 9th presented by Thai PBS to the parliament. Next will be the 10th which will coincide with the mandatory review of the Thai PBS law.